Simple pleasures to start the new year. In my house there are FOUR birthdays in January so its like the holidays every weekend for the next month. Easy meals from here on out!
Steamed Mussels and Oven Fries
Steamed Mussels
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced to paste
- 4 large shallots, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 5 pounds mussels, scrubbed and debearded
- Sea salt
- Ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup finely chopped mixed soft herbs such as chervil, tarragon and parsley
Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium low heat. Add garlic and shallots and cook just until very fragrant - a minute or two. Add wine and let come to a simmer. Add mussels, season well with salt and pepper, cover and steam until mussels open, about 7 minutes. Stir in herbs and serve with oven fries (recipe below).
Oven Fries
- 6 Russet baking potatoes, scrubbed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Sea salt - Maldon best
- Ground black pepper
- Several sprigs fresh rosemary, stems discarded and needles coarsely chopped
Heat oven to 425. Set a large baking sheet in oven to warm while potatoes soak. Slice potatoes to resemble traditional french fries. Soak in a bowl of cold salty water for about 1 hour, making sure all of the potatoes are completely submerged. Lift potatoes out of water, rinse well and pat dry. Transfer to a large bowl and drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season well with sea salt, black pepper and chopped rosemary. Pour remaining tablespoon olive oil on hot baking sheet and tilt from side to side to spread evenly. Transfer potatoes to baking sheet - they should sizzle on contact. Place in oven and roast, without turning potatoes, until deep golden and crisp, about 45 minutes. Remove from oven, loosen from tray with a spatula and serve immediately.